Global Agenda Council on Urbanization 2012-2014

The growth of cities and unprecedented rural-to-urban migration throughout Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa are frequently cited as defining global trends of the 21st century. While urban growth often conjures up images of shiny skyscrapers and fast-moving transit systems, the truth is that these emerging areas are not postcard cities. Rather, the “face” of the trend is marked by informal settlements, or slums, on the periphery of urban centres, and the informal economy.